Size-Reducible Folding Tricycle for Children

ABSTRACT

A folding tricycle ( 1 ) for children comprises a frame ( 2 ) having a central part ( 3 ) carrying at its front a head tube ( 5 ) and connected at its rear to first ends ( 11 ) of rear arms ( 12 ) carrying a corresponding rotatable wheel ( 14 ), the first end ( 11 ) of said arms ( 12 ) being hinged to said central part ( 3 ) such as to be able to assume at least two working positions, in a first position said arms ( 12 ) extending from said central part ( 3 ) and in a second position they ling along the side of said part ( 3 ). The central part ( 3 ) of the frame ( 2 ) comprises a portion ( 17 ) connecting it to the arms ( 12 ) and presenting free surfaces ( 16 ) lying in planes inclined to a central plane (W) of the frame ( 2 ) and converging to the front said central part ( 3 ) of this latter, said first end ( 11 ) of said arms ( 12 ) being shaped to provide a form fit with said free surfaces ( 16 ).

The present invention relates to a tricycle in accordance with theintroduction to the main claim.

A tricycle is known to comprise a frame having a central part supportingat its front a head tube through which there rotatably passes a steeringshaft connected to a front wheel and to a handlebar, said central partsupporting a seat and being connected at its rear to side arms carryingrotatable wheels and projecting radially from said central part.

Tricycles are known in which a first end of said arms is hinged to saidcentral part so that said arms can assume two working positions, in afirst of which they project radially from said part and in a second ofwhich they lie to the said thereof to reduce the tricycle dimensions.Such a tricycle is described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,457,529.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tricycle of thestated type which is of very small dimensions when its side arms lie intheir second working position.

Another object is to provide a tricycle of the stated type, thedimensions of which can also be reduced on only one of its sides.

A further object is to provide a tricycle of the stated type which isreliable in use and of which the dimensions can be easily reduced.

These and other objects which will be apparent to the expert of the artare attained by a tricycle in accordance with the accompanying claims.

The present invention will be more apparent from the accompanyingdrawing, which is provided by way of non-limiting example and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tricycle of the invention in a firstworking position, seen from the rear;

FIG. 2 is a view of the tricycle of FIG. 1, seen from above;

FIG. 3 is a view of the tricycle of FIG. 1 in a different workingposition, seen from above;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the tricycle of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view of the tricycle of FIG. 1 in a further workingposition, seen from above;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the tricycle of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the tricycle of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the tricycle of FIG. 1, shown in a furtherworking position;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the tricycle of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a view of the tricycle of FIG. 8, seen from above;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a part of the tricycle of FIG. 8, seenfrom the rear;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the tricycle part of FIG. 11,seen from the rear;

FIG. 13 is a view of a detail of a variant of the invention seen fromthe rear, in an extended working position;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13, but with certain parts shownexploded;

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 13, but with the tricycle folded;

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 14, but showing the tricycle in itsfolded position.

With reference to FIGS. 1-12, a tricycle of the invention is indicatedoverall by 1 and comprises a frame 2 having a central part 3 carrying atits front a head tube 5 through which a steering shaft 6 is rotatablyinserted and connected lowerly (by means of a fork) to a wheel 7 (thetricycle front wheel) and upperly to a handlebar 8.

The central part 3 carries a seat 10 and is connected at its rear tofirst ends 11 of arms 12 which at their second end 13 carry a rotatablewheel 14. The first end 11 of each arm 12 is hinged to said central part3 by a coupling formed by the cooperation between an end surface 15 anda corresponding free surface 16 of a connecting portion 17 of saidcentral part 3, said connecting portion comprising a pin 20 about whichthe ends 11 of the arms 12 can rotate to enable these latter to assumeat least one first working position (FIGS. 1 and 2) in which each arm 11projects radially from the central part 3 of the frame 2 or at least onesecond working position (FIGS. 5-7) in which said arm lies along theside of said central part 3.

More specifically, the free surfaces 16 of the connecting portion 17 liein planes inclined to a central plane (defined by the axis W of FIGS. 2and 10) of the frame 2 of the tricycle 1 and converging to the front ofsaid central part 3 of the tricycle. Likewise, the end surfaces 15 ofsaid arms 12 are shaped to provide a form fit with the correspondingsurfaces and consequently lie in a plane inclined to the longitudinalaxis K of the respective first ends 11 (see FIG. 12).

By virtue of these shapes of the surfaces 15 and 16, when each arm 12 isbrought into its second working position it lies such that the centralplane S through the respective wheel 14 cuts the axis W of the frame 2so that the planes S of the two wheels 14 (see FIGS. 2 and 10) convergetowards the front of the tricycle. This allows a considerable reductionin the transverse dimensions of the tricycle when in its second workingposition (see FIG. 5).

To enable each arm 11 to be moved independently of each other, theconnecting portion 17 comprises release means 15 for said movement whichare arranged to cooperate with corresponding counter-means 26operationally cooperating with the first ends 11 of said arms 12.

More specifically, in a first embodiment of the invention shown inparticular in FIGS. 11 and 12, the portion 17 comprises a casing 28defined by two parts 29 and 30 defining an inner compartment housing themeans 25 and counter-means 26. The means 25 comprise a slide 32 having aflat part 33, from the opposing edges 34 of which there extend lugs 35inclined to the part 33 by an obtuse angle α. A pin 36 projects upwardsfrom the flat part 33 to cooperate with a pushbutton 37 disposed axiallymovable in a seat 38 in the part 29 of the casing 28 of the portion 17.Below said flat part 33 a compression spring 41 is present resting onthe part 30 of said casing 28 and suitably fixed (in known manner andtherefore not shown), at its opposite ends, to said parts 30 and 33. Thecounter-means 26 comprise superposed flat elements 44 and 45 guidedlyslidable relative to each other on the part 30 of the casing 28 withinguides defined by L-shaped brackets 50 rising from said part 30. Eachflat element (of substantially rectangular shape) comprises opposingsides 51 and 52 cooperating with said brackets and other sides 53 and 54perpendicular to the sides 51; the side 53 comprises projections 56arranged to cooperate with seats 57 provided in the end surface 15 ofthe ends 11 of the adjacent arm 12. Each flat element 44 and 45comprises an aperture 60, from one side 61 of which there rises a lug 62inclined to the element 44 by an angle equal to the aforesaid angle aand consequently parallel to the adjacent lug 35 of the slide 32 againstwhich the lug 35 rests.

From the element 45 there rises a lug 65 inclined to said lug andparallel to the adjacent lug 35 of the slide 32, against which it rests.The lugs 62 and 65 define a seat with movable walls for the slide 32,this seat tapering towards the part 30 of the casing 28. Consequently,by acting on the pushbutton 37 and pushing it towards the part 29 of thecasing 28, the slide 32 moves towards said part 30 so that the lugs 35of this latter cooperate with the lugs 62 and 65 of the flat elements 44and 45. This cooperation results in mutual withdrawal of said lugs 62and 65 (in a direction perpendicular to that of the movement of theslide 32) and hence in movement of the flat elements 44 and 45 relativeto the part 30 of the casing 28. This movement results in the emergenceof the projections 56 from the relative seats 57 and hence the abilityto rotate the arms 12 about the pin 20, common to both the arms (or intwo parts individually cooperating with these latter).

On releasing the pushbutton 37, the spring 41 withdraws it from the part29 of the casing 28, while at the same time usual elastic elements (notshown) cooperating with the elements 44 and 45, and which oppose theiraforesaid movement, bring these latter into their starting position inwhich their projections 56 again penetrate into the seats 57 (rotatedthrough 180° compared with FIG. 12) to lock the arms 12.

Alternatively, the slide 32 can be connected to the lugs 62 and 65 inknown manner (for example by movable pins in inclined guides) such thatthe movement of the slide relative to the part 30 of the casing 28results in a withdrawal movement of these lugs, but also to an approachof these latter.

Finally, the steering shaft 5 can also be foldable so that thedimensions of the tricycle can be further reduced, as shown in FIGS. 8,9, 10.

FIGS. 13-16, in which parts corresponding to those of the alreadydescribed figures are indicated by the same reference numerals, show avariant of the aforesaid means 25 and 26. In the figures underexamination, the connecting portion 17 presents a projecting part 100(defined by a part 99 rigid with the part 3 and provided with aprotection cover 98) presenting a central part 101 and two side portions102, 103 defining through apertures 104, these portions being connectedto one end 100A of the part 100.

The apertures 104 accommodate one end 105 of a lever 106 movablerelative to the part 100 and to its end 100A, it having a pin 108internal to this latter and on which there is mounted one end of aspring 109 resting on a shoulder 110 within the part 100, and rigid witha pushbutton 111 movable, against the spring, relative to a hole 112provided within the central part 101 of the part 100. On projecting fromthis hole (FIG. 13), the pushbutton 111 prevents movement of the lever106 relative to said end 100A, whereas if pressed into the hole 112(FIG. 15) it allows this movement against the spring 109.

The lever 106 is rigid with a rod 115 movable within the portion 101 ofthe part 100 and carrying at its free end opposing inclined lugs 116converging towards the rod 115. On said lugs 116 (defining a wedge)there rest the flanged ends 120 of sleeves 124 rigid with pins 121 andslidable within the part 99. On each sleeve 124 there is mounted aspring 122 cooperating at its first end with the flange 120 of thesleeve 124, and with its other end thrusting against a wall 99K of thepart 99.

Each pin 121 cooperates with a hole 125 provided in a disc 126, forexample of metal, rigid with the end surface 15 of a corresponding arm12 and substantially defining this surface. The arm 12 rotates about anaxis as in the case of FIGS. 11 and 12, defined for example by a screw127 which fixes the arm 12 to the connecting portion 17.

The aforedescribed cooperation between the pin 121 and the correspondinghole 125 takes place at least in the case in which the corresponding arm12 is extended from the central part 3 (FIG. 14). When the arm 12 isfolded towards this latter, the pin 121 is able to rest on the flatsurface 130 of the disc 126; alternatively and preferably, another hole125 can be provided in said disc to receive the pin when the arm 12 isfolded (as visible in FIG. 14).

To pass from the projecting position in which at least one arm 12projects form the part 3 (first working position) to that in which saidarm is folded against the side of said part (second working position),the pushbutton 111 is pressed and the lever 106 moved towards the end100A of the part 100. This movement displaces the lugs 116 from theflanged ends 120 of the pins 121 which, under the thrust action of therespective springs, approach each other by moving transversely towardsthe rod 115. This results in the emergence of each pin from thecorresponding hole 125 and the ability to rotate the arms 12 relative tothe portion 17 and to the part 3. After these have been displaced fromthe corresponding hole 125, the lever 106 can be released as the pins121 rest on the surface 130 of the corresponding disc 126. The arms 12can hence be folded towards the part 3. This movement stops when eachpin 121 cooperates with the corresponding hole 125 provided in the disc126 in a position such as to cooperate with the pin only when the arm 12has been folded into its end position.

It should be noted that the part 100 of the portion 17 can beadvantageously used as a handle for transporting the tricycle whenfolded.

Various preferred embodiments of the invention have been described.Others are however possible (for example relative to the means allowingthe arms 12 to be moved and the positioning in the various workingpositions), these falling within the invention as described by theaccompanying claims.

It should be noted that as the arms 12 are mutually independent, thetricycle can also be compacted on only one side, as shown in FIG. 3,which can be advantageous for example for transporting the tricycle.

1. A folding tricycle (1) for children, comprising a frame (2) having acentral part (3) carrying at its front a head tube (5) through whichthere passes a steering shaft (6) connected to a front wheel (7) and toa handlebar (8), said central part (3) being connected at its rear tofirst ends (11) of rear arms (12) carrying a corresponding rotatablewheel (14) at their second end (13), the first end (11) of said arms(12) being hinged to said central part (3) such as to be able to assumeat least two working positions, in a first position said arms (12)extending from said central part (3) and in a second position they lyingalong the side of said part (3), characterised in that the central part(3) of the frame (2) comprises a portion (17) connecting it to saidfirst end (11) of said arms (12), said connecting portion (17)presenting free surfaces (16) lying in planes inclined to a centralplane (W) of the frame (2) and converging to the front of said centralpart (3) of this latter, said first end of said arms (12) being shapedto provide a form fit with said free surfaces (16) and cooperating withthese such that when in said second working position said arms (12)converge towards said central part (3).
 2. A tricycle as claimed inclaim 1, characterised in that the ends (11) of the rear arms (12) arehinged to said connecting portion (17) about a hinge pin (20) rigid withsaid portion.
 3. A tricycle as claimed in claim 2, characterised in thatthe connecting portion comprises a casing (28) with which means (25) andcorresponding counter-means (26) are associated enabling each arm tomove about the corresponding hinge pin (20).
 4. A tricycle as claimed inclaim 3, characterised in that the means (25) enabling said arms (12) tomove are a member (32) slidable within the connecting portion (17) andcooperating with elements (44, 45) movable in a direction perpendicularto that of the slidable member (32) in order to block the movement ofthe rear wheels (12) in any working position.
 5. A tricycle as claimedin claim 4, characterised in that the slidable member (32) moves againsta spring (41) and comprises, cooperating with the spring, a flat wall(33) from the sides of which there project inclined lugs (35), each ofwhich cooperates with a corresponding inclined lug (62, 65) of eachmovable element (44, 45).
 6. A tricycle as claimed in claim 3,characterised in that the slidable member (32) cooperates with apushbutton (37) positioned on the casing 28) of the connecting portion(17).
 7. A tricycle as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that thecasing (28) of the connecting portion (17) comprises two superposedparts (29, 30) containing said means (25) and counter-means (26), afirst part (29) lying above the second (30), on this latter there movingthe movable elements (44, 45) guided by guide means (50) associated withsaid second part (30).
 8. A tricycle as claimed in claim 7,characterised in that the guide means are L-shaped brackets associatedwith the second part (30) of the casing (28) of the connecting portion.9. A tricycle as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that when the arms(12) are in their second working position, the central planes (S)through the rotatable wheels (14) associated therewith converge to thefront of the tricycle central part (3).
 10. A tricycle as claimed inclaim 3, characterised in that the means (25) enabling the arms (12) tomove are a member (106) which is movable within the connecting portion(17) and is rigid with wedge means (116) arranged to cooperate withelements (121) movable in directions transverse to that of said movablemember (106), to block the movement of the rear arms (12) at least whenin their first working position.
 11. A tricycle as claimed in claim 10,characterised in that the movable member is a lever (106) movable withina projecting part (100) in the connecting portion, said lever (106)being associated with a pushbutton (111) movable within a seat (112) insaid part (100) and arranged to enable or to block the movement of thelever depending on its position within said seat (112), the lever beingsubjected to the elastic action of a spring contained in said projectingpart (100) and being connected to the wedge means (116) by a rod (115)slidably inserted into a portion of said projecting part (100).
 12. Atricycle as claimed in claim 11, characterised in that the wedge meansare positioned at the free end of the rod (115) connected to the lever(106).
 13. A tricycle as claimed in claim 11, characterised in that thewedge means comprise two opposing lugs (116) which are inclined to therod (115) supporting them and which converge towards this latter.
 14. Atricycle as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that the movableelements are at least two pins (121), each arranged to cooperate with acorresponding rear arm (12) of the tricycle, each pin (121) beingsubjected to the elastic action of a spring (122) which maintains itpressing against a disc (126) rigid with the end (11) of thecorresponding arm (12).
 15. A tricycle as claimed in claim 14,characterised in that each pin (121) is arranged to cooperate with aseat (125) provided in the disc, at least when the rear arm (12) is inits first working position.
 16. A tricycle as claimed in claim 15,characterised in that the pin (121) also cooperates with a seat providedin the disc (126), when the rear arm (12) is in its second workingposition.
 17. A tricycle as claimed in claim 14, characterised in thateach pin (121) moves within a corresponding sleeve (124) discoidal tothe connecting portion (17) under the action of the wedge means (116)and against the action of the respective spring (122).
 18. A tricycle asclaimed in claim 17, characterised in that the spring (122) ispositioned about the sheath (124) of each pin (121) and acts with oneend against a flanged end (120) of the pin (121), the other end of thespring being rigid with the sheath (124).
 19. A tricycle as claimed inclaim 11, characterised in that the projecting part (100) of theconnecting portion (17) presents at least one aperture (104) for theoperation of the lever (106), said part (100) being grippable throughthis aperture to transport the tricycle, said part hence acting as thegripping element for such transport.
 20. A tricycle as claimed in claim11, characterised in that the projecting part (100) is defined by afirst part (98) rigid with the connecting portion (17) and a second part(99) removably secured to the first part (98) and acting as theprotection cover for this latter.